Joey Essex’s cousin Frankie Sims breaks her silence on ‘starstruck’ Samantha after fans brand her a ‘stalker’

JOEY Essex’s cousin Frankie Sims has revealed what she thinks of his Love Island romance with Samantha Kenny.

Towie legend Joey, 33, has formed an early connection with the Liverpool lass, 27, in the villa, but there have been tongue-in-cheek accusations of ‘stalking’ levelled at her by viewers after she admitted to being a massive fan of the Essex reality show and often quotes its famous catchphrases.

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Frankie is rooting for Samantha and Joey[/caption]

In an exclusive chat with The Sun, Frankie, 29, said that, while it’s still early days, Joey is serious about Samantha.

She said: “She is the one that I chose for him before he even selected anyone. I think she’s really pretty. She’s definitely his type.

“Obviously the whole lack of affection the past couple of episodes is unusual, so I don’t know whether he’s just trying to take it slow with her and he’s into it with her in a mature way, or whether he’s waiting for somebody else to come in.”

Much has been made of Joey’s body language each time Samantha reels off a Towie quote, with claims he looks visibly uncomfortable.

But Frankie believes he wouldn’t have entertained Samantha for this long if she really was a Towie crazed superfan.

“I’m really unsure about whether she’s quoting it all the time or whether the edit is just making it look like she’s a superfan,” she admits.

“I don’t think he would be with someone if he thought they were a superfan. I think he would quite easily jump ship.

“So I don’t think he’s as dramatic in the villa is what they’re making it look.

“He definitely does like her because he would have jumped ship by now, I’m sure.”

“I think she seems really down to earth and like she’s genuinely into him even like how jealous she was getting. I think that shows signs of genuinely liking somebody rather than just liking them for your benefit. So I’m I’m actually all for Sam.

“I think she’s great and I hope that Joey does pursue it with her and they develop affection and nobody else turns his head.”

Though she’s rooting for Sam, Frankie said the arrival of a petite, natural beauty would be a big test for Joey.

And last night there was a big shock as his ex, Grace Jackson, arrived in the villa.

Joey gasped when he recognised the blonde beauty from a distance, and he whispered to fellow Islander Sean Stone: “I used to see that girl.”

Grace is said to have dated Joey for six weeks earlier this year but it ended badly when he abruptly called a halt to it. She’s now looking for answers.

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Samantha has been likened to Baby Reindeer’s Martha, played by Jessica Gunning[/caption]